The Value of Networking

By 213 Strategic Partners on October 17, 2025

What is Networking and How do I Understand My Network? 

Networking is building relationships with professionals whether in your career or through other activities. It is a mutually beneficial relationship, in that the ultimate goal of networking is asking for advice, career opportunities or favors of others.  

Your network consists of everyone you know or share some kind of connection with. It also includes people who know of you or about you. This is your network. 

• Networking involves all the action steps taken to grow and maintain your personal network. It is not just about expanding your network with new contacts, but also about staying in touch with those already in it. 
• Staying in touch might include phone calls, texts, social media outreach, and responding to others’ posts or messages. These actions help keep your network healthy and strong. 

People do business with those they like and trust. This applies to job offers, choosing service providers, and giving references. Keeping your network current requires effort and skill. 

It’s too late to start networking when you need something. The time to build your network is before you need to rely on it. 

Utilize Networking Group, Alumni Events, Sport Leagues, Conferences, and Social Events to develop your network overtime.  

Start by asking for advice and counsel. Most people are happy to help when asked. Being asked for advice is a compliment, and most people take it that way. 

Maintaining and Expanding Your Network 

• Stay in Touch: Be disciplined about setting reminders to stay relevant to your network through outreach, posting, or content creation. 
• Grow New Connections: Put yourself in situations where you can meet new people—religious organizations, hobby groups, community associations, trade groups, or volunteer opportunities. 

Challenge yourself: Do one thing each month to broaden or maintain your network. This could be sending a post, attending an event, or reconnecting with someone you haven’t spoken to in a while. 

Utilizing LinkedIn  

LinkedIn is a powerful business networking tool with many benefits. When you connect with someone, they learn about your accomplishments and professional background and you learn about theirs. 

Start by creating a LinkedIn profile that includes your educational and professional background, as well as any organizations or causes you support. Build your network by sending invitations to connect. This allows mutual visibility into each other’s work and posts. 

LinkedIn can be a powerful job search tool. If you know the industry or better yet, the company you want to work for, LinkedIn, can show you who you are connected to there. With LinkedIn Premium, you can even see which of your connections have connections at that company. This enables proactive networking and asking for introductions at firms where you want to work. 

Making Meaningful Connections 

Always personalize your invitations. LinkedIn sends a generic message by default, but you should use the “Add a note” feature to include a personal message. This shows intentionality and thoughtfulness. 

Keeping Connections Fresh 

Post something at least once a month. It could be: 

• An insight from a class, online course, or podcast 
• A repost of something meaningful 
• A credential or achievement 

Any of these help keep your profile fresh and engaging.